It’s been many decades since the Queen visited South Cumbria, possibly put off by the weather. I can’t speak for the Princess Royal, partly because it took me a while to work out which one that was. (Not Edward, apparently.)

The Royal Visit began in Kendal, progressed to Windermere and then set sail on the lake for Brockhole, where the Royal Party enjoyed half-an-hour on the Treetop Trek aerial playground.

The last time the Queen visited, social media consisted of the Court Circular. Today it is slightly different. By following #royalvisit on Twitter, anyone could be kept informed, read live updates and see photographs tweeted from the scene by citizen journalists (this is one of the best). As one wag pointed out, it is Royal protocol to curtsey before snapping her Majesty with a smartphone.

The sun shone, the whole area was a-buzzing (not just with bees) and there was a general good feeling in the air.

And it was press day at The Westmorland Gazette, so how could a cartoonist for Her Majesty’s Press spoil it all by being customarily cynical and embittered? Besides, he might end up in the Tower.

Below is a selection of cartoon drawn for the Royal Visit, with a wider selection of captions. There were also a couple of other stories which I sketched, but don’t let them trouble you.

So, you ask, which Royal Cartoon made it into the newspaper? Well, I don’t know. Apparently at Gazette HQ everyone picked a different one. Press day during a Royal Visit is an exciting affair and as the paper was being assembled in all directions, I drew up the final art and left the captions with them. In an hour or so, I’ll pop out and buy the paper. I’ll know which cartoon they chose, just as soon as the readers.

This was a fun event which is (shhh) pre-recorded. Anyone attending was allowed to pitch a question to the panel. These were then answered in turn by Toby Buckland, Anne Swithinbank and Bunny Guinness. The event was introduced and chaired by son-of-Cumbria Eric Robson.

BBC recordings are always interesting and I’d urge you to go along to one, if you get the chance.

They’re also a good opportunity for sketching, as you can see below.

Eric Robson introducing the recording in Madonna mode

Toby Buckland

Bunny Guinness

Ann Swithinbank

At the end of the recording, Windermere Reflections’ Amanda Holden presented the chairman and panel with personalised bottles of the exclusive Mere Gold beer, brewed by Bowness Bay Brewing Company. Fortunately, ace illustrator and photographer Pam Grant was on hand to get the pack shot.

(Click on the photo to see a larger version)

Gardener’s Question Time goes out on BBC Radio 4 at 3pm Friday and again at 2pm on Sunday.

* Since you asked, my question was: “I have built a massive extension on the side of my house. What fast-growing plant would the panel recommend to hide it from the National Park planners?”

P.S. More media: On Sunday 14 July, at 9.40 a.m., I will be on BBC Radio Cumbria during Val Armstrong's show, describing my favourite place. (I restricted it to the Lakes as the budget wouldn’t stretch for Belinda Artingstoll to interview me in the Swiss Alps.)